Improvement in pipe-wrenches



W. C. WESTERFIELD.

Improvement in Pipe-Wrenches.

Nd, 126,506, Patented May7,1872.

PATENT QFFIGE.

WILLIAM C. WESTERFIELD, OF FAIRBURY, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN PIPE-WRENCHES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 126,506, dated May 7, 1872.

of my improved wrench.

This invention relates to a new self-acting wrench for cylindrical bodies; and consists in the combination of serrated jointed jaws with a slotted shank in the operating-lever, wherein the end of one of the jaws is allowed to slide and to thereby obtain the desired self-adjustment.

A in the drawing represents the operating lever or handle of the wrench. It is of suitable length-in ordinary cases about two or three feet. From its ends project a forked shank, B, between the forks of which the inner ends of two curved jaws, O and D, are pivoted by pins 0. and b, respectively. The outer ends of the jaws O D are united by a pivot, 11. Their inner faces are roughened or serrated, as shown. The pivots b of the longer jaw D rest in a slot, 6, of the shank, and can slide therein, constituting the adjustable fulcrum of the implement, the shank itself at the end being the resistance. \Vhen the lever A is moved upward it acts, through the fulcrum b, upon the resistance B, which brings the serrated inner faces of the jaws nearer together, thereby grasping whatever object is between them, be the same of cylindrical or other form. The motion being continued, the object will be turned with the instrument, as intended. When the whole instrument is reversed the instrument will operate when the lever is swung downward.

The invention is applicable to the moving of railroad cars and other purposes.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- The wrench, composed of the handle A, slotted shank B, jaws O D, and sliding pivots b, substantially as herein shown and described.

\VILLIAM G. WESTERFIELD.

Witnesses:

JOHN H. EARL, E. W. LYMAN. 

